What to expect from a PSA test for raised PSA

PSA is made by prostate cells. A raised result can occur with an enlarged prostate, inflammation, infection, recent ejaculation, or pressure on the prostate, as well as with prostate cancer. Your clinician considers your age, symptoms, examination and earlier results. One result is a starting point, not a final diagnosis.

Ask whether you should avoid ejaculation and vigorous cycling before the blood draw, and tell the clinician about urinary symptoms, fever, recent procedures and medicines. Some medicines alter PSA, so do not stop prescribed treatment without advice. Depending on the result, follow-up may include repeating PSA, a prostate examination, urine testing, imaging or referral to a specialist.

Contact a clinician promptly if you have difficulty passing urine, cannot empty your bladder, see blood in urine or semen, or develop fever with painful urination. Seek urgent help if you cannot pass urine at all or feel severely unwell. These symptoms need assessment regardless of how high or low a PSA result is.

Ask what your result means in context, whether infection or prostate enlargement could explain it, when a repeat test is appropriate, and what referral or imaging would be considered if it remains raised.